S&P to Confer Investment Rating to Russia after Presidential Election

Experts do not doubt that the disposition of political powers will remain the same and economic reforms will be continued
Experts of investment companies believe that Standard&Poor's will confer an investment rating to Russia till the end of the year, highly likely after the presidential election. Chief of the analytical department of the Prospekt company Alexander Korchagin told RIA Novosti that Russia has achieved the investment rating long ago, and the Russian Federation's rating on the international level is even higher than an investment one.

Rating agencies, S&P in particular, are more conservative. Alexander Korchagin says that although Moody's made haste to confer an investment rating to Russia, it has defined the proper direction.

Leading analyst with Megatrustoil Alexander Razuvayev says that raising of the rating is a result of political stability and good macroeconomic showings in the country.

Analyst with Aton, Anatoly Kaplin thinks that it is an inspiring fact that raising of the rating was made before the presidential election. He adds that the rating may even advance after the election. Alexander Korchagin with Prospekt supports the opinion as well: "It is supposed that S&P may confer an investment rating to Russia this year; this supposition is highly justified and probable."

Experts of investment companies say that rating agencies will be able to give a definitive estimate of Russia only after the presidential election conducted in March. At that, experts do not doubt that the disposition of political powers will remain the same and economic reforms will be continued.

The other day, S&P announced Russia's sovereign ratings: the long-term currency credit rating was raised from BB to BB+ and the national currency credit rating - from BB+ to BBB-.

Thus, Russia's long-term currency credit rating is just one step apart from the lowest investment category rating and the national currency credit rating is very close to the investment one. Experts estimate the news positively. They add, the decision of S&P is appropriate and justified, although it is somewhat delayed after conferring of an investment rating to Russia by Moody's.